Ruben Amorim, John Victor
(Credit: Imago)
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Sun 13 July 2025 15:00, UK
Manchester United and Aston Villa are stepping up their interest in Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor as they look to bolster their goalkeeping options, sources have told Football Insider.
Victor has a release clause of £6 million ($8m) for his sale, following an agreement with Botafogo owner John Textor.
He is in line for a call-up to the next Brazil squad by former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti as a reward for his outstanding form.
The athletic shot-stopper excelled for Botafogo at this summer’s Club World Cup with several eye-catching performances.
Victor helped Botafogo win Brazil’s Serie A and the Copa Libertadores last year, and he was named in the Team of the Year for both competitions in 2024.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery
Emery and Villa have eyed a move for Victor (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Man United and Aston Villa battle for Botafogo goalkeeper Victor
Amid their interest in the 29-year-old, Man United sent scouts to watch Victor at the Club World Cup, where he maintained one clean sheet in four appearances.
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The former Santos man helped Botafogo to a shock 1-0 win over PSG last month, attracting further advances for his services from both Ruben Amorim’s men and Villa.
Since returning to domestic action, Victor made five saves as his side beat Vasco da Gama 2-0 in Davide Ancelotti’s first game in charge on Saturday, 12 July.
Ruben Amorim Man United
Amorim and Man United could sign Victor this summer (Credit: Imago)
Victor is ready for Premier League challenge
Football Insider verdict
Thanks to Amorim’s desire to bolster his goalkeeping ranks, Man United are interested in Emiliano Martinez, who kept eight clean sheets in the Premier League for Aston Villa last season.
John Victor stats Club World Cup 2025
Appearances 4
Clean sheets 1
Saves 13
Victor was outstanding in the Club World Cup
If the Red Devils sign Martinez from the West Midlands club, Unai Emery’s men could be set to sign Victor as a replacement, whereas Amorim’s side could acquire the 29-year-old as an alternative to the Argentina international.
But regardless of whether the Brazilian ends up at Old Trafford or Villa Park, his performances in this summer’s Club World Cup and domestically in Brazil show that he is ready to make the switch to the Premier League.
Botafogo were beaten 1-0 in the Club World Cup last 16 by fellow Serie A outfit Palmeiras, thanks to Paulinho’s extra-time goal, but did well to beat Spanish giants Atletico Madrid to a spot in the knockout stages.
Victor was at the heart of his side’s impressive efforts and appears ready to face high-calibre European opposition regularly.
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